Meat Inspector - Lethbridge

Job Information
Job Title: Meat Inspector - Lethbridge

Job Requisition ID: 88671 Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation Location: Lethbridge

Full or Part-Time: Full Time Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Temporary (1 year) Scope: Open Competition Closing Date: November 9, 2026 Classification: Technologies 4 Salary: $2,516.23 - $3,295.45 bi-weekly ($65,674 - $86,011/year)

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for policies, legislation, regulations, programs and services that enable Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors to flourish and contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and growth. The ministry’s role is diverse, ranging from food safety and industry growth and diversification to increasing investment and supporting growth in rural Alberta. The ministry also supports foundational programs like irrigation and agricultural societies that help create strong rural communities and resilient agriculture sectors.

Role Responsibilities

Want to make a difference in Albertans’ lives? Do you want to help contribute to the safety of meat that Albertans eat?

If you answered yes to these questions then we want you!

We are currently looking to hire a Temporary Full Time Meat Inspector for the Lethbridge Inspection region.

As a Meat Inspector, you will be responsible for providing slaughter inspection services on kill floors at provincial abattoirs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct front-line slaughter, meat processing, and compliance inspections, including ante- and post-mortem inspection of livestock and poultry.
• Monitor and enforce food safety, animal welfare, and regulatory requirements, documenting deficiencies and ensuring appropriate corrective action.
• Use inspection technology and electronic reporting systems to document findings, support remote inspection activities, troubleshoot systems, and contribute to program data and reporting.
• Support animal health and food safety surveillance programs by collecting and submitting samples, communicating results, and working with operators to address concerns.
• Contribute to broader program priorities, including livestock traceability, occupational health and safety, operational policies and procedures, team initiatives, and special projects.

This position is a regulatory role and involves the onsite enforcement of provincial statutes administered by the Meat & Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS). The MDIS is responsible for providing regulatory inspection service to approximately 120 licensed red meat and poultry abattoirs across Alberta.

Join the Meat Inspector Team and help play a role in maintaining Alberta's reputation for excellence in food safety!

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Agility: refers to the ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in an ever-changing work environment
• Drive for Results: will ensure that you remain focused on assuring legislation is met day to day and that documentation is completed and submitted in a manner that meets MDIS's operational requirements.
• Build Collaborative Environments: involves strong verbal communication, negotiation and conflict management skills required for working with individual abattoir operators and workers to ensure abattoir operational needs are met while meeting legislative requirements
• Creative Problem Solving: is required as you apply sound knowledge of risk assessment and compliance principles to take an appropriate situation specific approach to problems.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

• Two (2) year technical diploma in a related field, preferably in Animal Science, Animal Health/Vet Technology, or Food Safety/Food Science, plus
• Two (2) years of directly related meat inspection work experience (i.e. working as a meat inspector on kill floors).

Equivalencies:

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Preference will be given to those with:

• Experience as a Meat Inspector within the Canadian federal or provincial meat inspection system (CIFA or other Meat Inspection program).

Meat inspection experience may not be substituted with other education or experience.

Assets:

• Knowledge of animal diseases and pathology.
• Solid understanding of requirements for humane livestock handling and stunning.
• Food safety principles for slaughter and meat processing.
• Familiarity with and ability to interpret regulatory standards (e.g. Meat Inspection Act (AB), Meat Inspection Regulation (AB), and Meat Facility Standards).
• Robust competencies in communication and conflict resolution (e.g. Verbal Judo).
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Agridam, 1GX or similar ERP systems, and Safety aware.

The successful candidate must successfully complete all in-house training.

The ability to work both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating the Alberta Public Service values of respect, integrity, accountability, and excellence are essential for success in this position.

Candidates that do not meet Technologies 4 classification requirements may be considered at a lower classification.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

Notes:

• Term of Employment: Temporary Full time (1 year)

• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday (7.25 hours per day).

• Location: Lethbridge (Agriculture Centre, 5401 – 1 Avenue S. Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6)

Additional Information:

• Extended working hours (overtime) and/or travel will be required to complete assigned field work.
• Overtime rate will be applicable for all overtime.
• Ability to work under varying site conditions including inclement weather conditions and wet surface areas/environments (e.g. barns, kill floors)
• PPE will be provided.
• In house training will be provided.
• Candidate must reside within the geographical boundaries of the assigned regional work area (Lethbridge) and within a reasonable distance (within ~60 km) of the Lethbridge office Agriculture Centre, 5401 – 1 Avenue S. Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6).
• Any relocation costs are the sole responsibility of the successful candidate.
• Candidate may be required to travel to other geographical regions for training and/or cover off for other regions.
• Fleet vehicle will be provided.
• Final candidates will be required to provide verification of eligibility to drive a fleet vehicle (a valid Class 5 driver’s licence, a minimum of three years as a Class 5 driver, a current driver’s abstract showing no more than six demerit points, and no criminal code convictions)
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Out of provide applicants may obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Position Physical Requirements:

• Requires routine work in an active movement capacity at various abattoir site locations, including but not limited to: Frequent driving alone to job sites, occasional prolonged (2 to 3 hours one way) driving to job sites and extended working hours (occasional work shifts up to 12 hours) to complete assigned field work.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs
• Frequent lifting up to 20 lbs 
• Frequent standing   
• Occasional reaching above shoulder height
• Occasional climbing of stairs, ladders or lifts
• Repetitive use of hand tools (knives, steels, etc.)
• Ability to work under varying site conditions, including driving in inclement weather and working within wet surface areas/environments (e.g. stationed on kill floors).
  
  

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) .
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How To Apply 

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply online. Please see Job Application Resources for more information.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.

It is also recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, Sam Thomas Mathew at Sam.Thomasmathew@gov.ab.ca.